System and method for automatically printing postage on mail

ABSTRACT

A system and method for printing a postage meter stamp, including a desired postage amount, onto a piece of mail. A user takes a touch memory utility (&#34;TMU&#34;) button to the Post Office in order to obtain a replenishment of the amount of postage stored within the TMU button. A desired amount of postage is entered into the TMU button by a postal employee through a processor-based system. The user is then able to access this stored postage at the user&#39;s location through a complementary processor-based system. The processor-based system automatically calculates the required postage for a piece of mail based upon a set of parameters pertaining to the mail.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to the automatic provision ofpostage on envelopes and packages, and more specifically, to a systemand method in which the postage is calculated automatically as part ofthe printing of an address on mail under control of a word processingprogram.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presently, it is common for individuals or businesses to have residingwithin their offices a postage meter rented from a commercial businesssuch as, for example, Pitney Bowes. This arrangement is very convenient,since letters may be addressed, postage applied, and mailed directlyfrom the office without requiring an employee to physically visit theU.S. Post Office and wait in line in order to apply postage to what isoften a quite significant volume of outgoing mail, or to manually applystamps to each piece of mail in which case mail is slower because it hasto go through a postage cancelling machine.

Quite naturally, postage meters were developed to relieve the manualapplication of stamps on mail and to automate the above process.Nevertheless, a postage meter residing within an office is not all thatconvenient and efficient as it may first seem to be. First, a postagemeter may not be purchased, but must be rented. The rental fees aloneare typically over twenty dollars per month. For a small business, thiscan be quite an expense to incur year after year. Second, a postagemeter must be adjusted, serviced and replenished manually; i.e., eachday the date must be adjusted manually, periodically, ink on the stamppad within the postage meter must be refilled; and when the amount ofpostage programmed within the postage meter has expired, the meter mustbe manually unplugged, placed into a special case the meter is of asignificant weight), and an employee must visit a U.S. Post Office tohave the postage available within it replenished. Moreover, the tellerat the U.S. Post Office must cut the seal, replenish the meter with adesired amount of postage, and reseal the meter before returning it tothe employee. The meter must then be returned to the office and poweredup. A slightly more expensive meter (rental of approximately $30.00more) works in the following manner: 1) set up an account with PitneyBowes, 2) 7 to 10 days before a user requires any postage, the userdeposits with the meter owner the amount of postage required, 3) theuser then calls the owner (7 to 10 days later) and they issueinstructions as to the manual pushing of a variety of buttons on themeter (programming) which will replenish the postage amount on themeter. Nonetheless, the meter must be taken to the Post Office every 6months.

Thus, in addition to the monthly rent, the servicing and replenishing ofthe meter requires the time and expense of at least one employee to takeit to the U.S. Post Office to have it replenished. Of course, thisprocedure results in downtime wherein the postage meter is not availableto the business for the application of postage to outgoing mail. Inaddition, because of the monthly rent and the size of these devices, itis generally not practical for businesses to have more than one postagemeter to alleviate this down-time.

As previously mentioned, the alternative to a business, especially asmall business, is to forego the advantages of a postage meter and tobuy sheets, or books, of stamps. Without a doubt, this is not asufficient solution. Since a variety of denominations of stamps aregenerally required, applying two 29¢ stamps to a letter requiring only40¢, will begin to add up over time. Additionally, it is difficult for abusiness to keep track of the stamps physically and logistically and aresubject to pilferage and degeneration from faulty handling. Moreover,increases in the postal rate (which seem to occur every three years) andthe requirements for various postages for international mail, makes thepurchase of stamps even more inefficient and uneconomical.

Because of different postage zones, different classes of mail, differentpostage required by international mail and the inefficiency ofmaintaining stamps within an office, it is important to have anautomatic postage system, such as the aforementioned inefficient andrelatively expensive postage meter. Accordingly, there is a need in theart for a system and method that provides the automatic placement ofpostage on mail at locations other than a U.S. Post Office, while notrequiring the use of a traditional postage meter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide asystem and method for automatically providing for the placement ofpostage on mail outside of the environment of the U.S. Post Office,without requiring the use of a conventional postage meter.

In the attainment of the primary object, the present invention isembodied within a processor-based system located at a business--offices.A means is provided for purchasing a desired amount of postage at a U.S.Post Office and for storing this purchased amount within a storagemeans. Thereafter, a user may invoke the processor-based system toaccess the storage means and retrieve a portion of this stored amount ofpostage for subsequent printing on an envelope, or a label, via aprinting means coupled to the processor-based system, a desired amountof postage in a form similar to that employed by a conventional postagemeter.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the processor-basedsystem is a personal computer ("PC") located within the business office.The PC will store a program, hereinafter referred to as the "E-STAMPProgram," which requests input from the user on the amount of desiredpostage and subsequently prints on an envelope through a printerattached to the PC, or on a label through a printer or a special purposelabel-maker coupled to the PC the desired amount of postage in the formof a typical meter stamp. The E-STAMP Program interfaces with the userthrough the display screen and the keyboard, or mouse, of the PC.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a touch memoryutility ("TMU") button, manufactured by, for example, DallasSemiconductor, Dallas, Tex., is utilized for transferring the obtainedamount of postage from the U.S. Post Office to the processor basedsystem. Typically, a user will physically take the TMU button to (orpurchase from) a U.S. Post Office location, which will have installed atits location a system complementary to the one installed on thecustomer's PC. A postal worker will interface the TMU button with thesystem residing at the Post Office in order to replenish the amount ofpostage programmed within the button in an amount requested andpurchased by the customer. The user may call a number (the Post Office)and have the Post Office transfer the required amount by MODEM. The PostOffice may also elect to sell disposable TMU buttons pre-loaded invarious denominations.

The customer will then physically carry the button back to theprocessor-based system and, couple the button to a correspondingreceiving apparatus coupled to the processor-based system so thatportions of the obtained postage may be downloaded to the E-STAMPProgram upon a request by the customer. Upon invocation of the E-STAMPProgram by the customer, the program will inform the customer of thenewly obtained amount of postage via the display screen.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the displayscreen coupled to the processor-based system employs a "windows" typedisplay for interfacing with the user. Through the display screen, theE-STAMP Program will request a password from the user and the amount ofpostage the user wishes to apply to a piece of outgoing mail orcorresponding label for subsequent application to a package or envelope.The user will enter the desired amount of postage, the program willretrieve this postage stored within the TMU button,and the E-STAMPProgram will print a meter stamp through a coupled printing device ontothe envelope or label.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the E-STAMP Programmay be coupled to a word processing program residing within theprocessor-based system. As a result, the application of the meter stampmay be made in conjunction with the word processing program, which hasthe capability to print envelopes, separately or in conjunction with theprinting of a corresponding letter produced by the word processingprogram.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, theaforementioned TMU buttons are specially manufactured by DallasSemiconductor for use in conjunction with E-STAMP Programs, i.e., uniqueserial numbers specific to the E-STAMP Program are embedded within eachTMU button. These serial numbers are then provided to the U.S. PostOffice for programming into their corresponding E-STAMP Program andsystem. Thus, a form of security is provided since only the TMU buttonsspecially manufactured for use with the E-STAMP Program are able toreceive or retrieve data pertaining to postage amounts when taken to aPost Office for replenishing, and to transfer this data to a customersystem, as previously described.

Additionally, a special password could be dedicated for use with theE-STAMP Program so that access is only provided to users entering thecorrect password. As a result of the aforementioned, the U.S. PostOffice can be assured that only authorized users are able to obtainpostage replenishment, and that users are unable to replenish theirpostage within the E-STAMP Program or the TMU button without cooperationfrom the U.S. Post Office. The aforementioned serial numbers andpasswords may also allow a user and the U.S. Post Office to trackpostage used by every company, department, employee, etc. Furthermore,other software programs may also be configured to access the E-STAMPProgram so that spread sheets and/or graphs may be produced providingstatistics on postage use within a business.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the E-STAMPProgram is able to automatically calculate the correct postage to placeon a letter, parcel or label as a function of the class, zone and weightof the particular item to be mailed.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basisfor modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a processor-based system for implementation of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrates a display screen utilized by the presentinvention to interface with a U.S. Post Office employee whenreplenishing postage within the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of the replenishing process;

FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the security techniquesutilized within the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram on an operation of the presentinvention within a processor-based system; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a display interface provided to a user when accessingthe present invention on a processor-based system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated processor-based system 10utilized for implementing the present invention, specifically theaforementioned E-STAMP Program at both the customer's site and the U.S.Post Office site.

Throughout the remainder of this description, reference is made to theU.S. Post Office. Note, however, that the present invention may beimplemented within any country and with respect to any postal system.

System 10 includes chassis 11 enclosing processor ("CPU") 12 and storagedevice 14. Coupled to CPU 12 is display 13, keyboard 15 and mouse 16.Furthermore, system 10 is adapted for coupling with conventional TouchMemory Utility ("TMU") button 18, shown engaged with button holder 17.In a preferred embodiment, system 10 is a PC. In an alternativeembodiment, the system 10 could be part of a main-frame computer orsystem 10 could be part of a networked system.

TMU button 18 is available from Dallas Semiconductor, Dallas, Tex. In apreferred embodiment of the present invention a batch of TMU buttonswill be manufactured with specifically designated serial numbers for usesolely with the present invention.

System 10 may be utilized at a customer's site for permitting a user toretrieve postage storage within button 18 for subsequent printing inconjunction with a conventional postage meter stamp onto a piece of mailthrough printer 19, which is coupled to system 10.

Additionally, system 10 may be employed at a U.S. Post Office forpermitting a postal worker to replenish the amount of postage storedwithin button 18 at the request of a customer in a manner to bediscussed below.

Alternatively, a pair of systems 10 may be linked together throughPublic Switched Network ("PSN") 102 via modem 101 or directly throughdigital telecommunications trunks (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 2A, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of adisplay screen shown on display 13 to a U.S. Post Office employee whenaccessing the present invention on system 10. Processor-based system 10located within the U.S. Post Office location may be linked via PSN 102in a conventional well known manner (such as through modem 101) so thatinformation may be shared between the various Post Offices. Generally, acopy of the E-STAMP Program will be stored within at least oneprocessor-based system at selected U.S. Post Office locations.

As noted, the program, in a preferred embodiment, will display screen 20to the postal worker. Of course, the particular display aspectsillustrated in FIG. 2A may be modified in any one of numerous ways.Also, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention,processor-based system 10 will provide for input from a user viakeyboard 15 and mouse 16. However, other various forms of inputavailable to processor-based systems may be utilized, such as a lightpen or a touch-sensitive screen (both not shown).

At the upper right-hand corner of display screen 20, there is indicateda Postmaster serial number, in this example "77014-9998." These fivebytes stored within system 10 may be specifically designated for theparticular Post Office wherein system 10 and the E-STAMP Program reside.This serial number represents the zip code of the Post Office location,or could be selected at random.

In the upper left-hand corner of display screen 20 is illustrated a TMUserial number, in this example "2 128 176 32 0 0 0 175." These eightbytes stored within TMU button 18, which may represent numbers from 0 to255, are specifically assigned to and identify TMU button 18. Thus,display screen 20 indicates that the postal employee has coupled TMUbutton 18 to processor-based system 10, which incorporates the E-STAMPProgram.

Typically, the first two numerals (bytes) within the TMU serial numbercould be assigned by the button (or memory) manufacturer. The third byteis selected by the U.S. Postal System and identifies TMU buttonsspecifically designed for the E-STAMP Program, therefore excluding otherTMU buttons not designed for the E-STAMP Program, and also assisting inexcluding any other means for accessing the E-STAMP Program. As aresult, the present invention may be designed so that only authorizedTMU buttons may access the E-STAMP Program for replenishment of postageas will be discussed below.

The remainder of the TMU serial number is basically the sequentialserial number of TMU button 18 in particular.

As the E-STAMP Program reads the information stored within TMU button18, the TMU serial number is displayed on screen 10. Additionally,information is displayed within block 201 specifically pertaining to theinformation stored within button 18. This "TMU Verification" informationshows the postage balance currently residing within button 18, the timeand date when the aforementioned funds were electronically stored withinbutton 18, and the post office location where this postage was input. Asshown within box 201, TMU button 18 currently contains a postage balanceof $6.72, which is most likely a portion of the postage that was inputinto button 18 at 3:18 a.m. on Oct. 30, 1993, at the Post Officelocation represented by zip code "77090-2765." It may be observed thatthis serial number is different from the E-STAMP serial number shown atthe upper right-hand corner of display screen 20, indicating that thesenumbers represent two different Post Office locations, and that button18 was formerly coupled to system 10 at Post Office 77090-2765 but iscurrently coupled to system 10 residing at Post Office 77014-9998.

In a manner to be discussed in detail below with respect to FIG. 3, thefirst password (i.e., BCLINTON) shown in password block 202 of FIG. 2 isentered by Post Office (Postage Maker) software and will match that ofE-STAMP software. If the Post Office requests it, we could include anextra password, but only to access and start the program. As a result ofthe entering of the correct password by Post Maker, a string of numeralsare displayed within block 203. In a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the first several numerals within block 203 represent thecurrent time and date. A second string of numerals represent the E-STAMPserial/zip code number of this particular system 10. The remainder ofthe numbers are generated randomly by the E-STAMP Program. Thisgeneration of random numbers is detailed below.

Thereafter, within block 204, a second password, which is generatedthrough an algorithm from the numbers generated within block 203, isshown. These numbers are used as a password to assist in the randomgeneration of the numerals within block 205. Thereafter, anotheralgorithm utilizes the randomly generated numerals within block 205 toderive the third password displayed within block 206. If all is correct,the cursor will then stop within block 207 so that the postal employeemay enter a desired amount of postage in U.S. dollars as requested bythe user owning TMU button 18 currently coupled to the E-STAMP Program.All of the above numbers are not displayed on the screen and allpasswords are hidden.

As shown in block 207, the user has desired to add $500.00 postage toTMU button 18. This amount has been entered by the employee. Subsequentto entering the $500.00 amount, the postal employee will press button208, and then press button 209 to "write" the $500.00 amount into TMUbutton 18 coupled to system 10.

Immediately thereafter, display screen 21, illustrated in FIG. 2B, isshown to the postal employee. Display screen 21 is similar to displayscreen 20 except for the new information within block 201 which nowshows that TMU button 18 contains $506.72 of postage, which was updatedat 10:45 a.m. on Dec. 15, 1993 by the E-STAMP Program located at PostOffice location "77014-9998."

Referring next to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a flow diagram of theaforementioned method of providing security within the presentinvention. First, in block 310, the TMU serial number is accessed by thesecurity program within the present invention. If the TMU serial numberis not one specifically assigned to the U.S. Postal Service, the processwill not proceed to step 320. In step 320, the program will write apassword provided by the creator of the program. Thereafter, at step330, the aforementioned data is produced and displayed within block 203.The random numerals will be produced as a function of the enteredpassword.

Thereafter, in step 340, a first algorithm selected by the U.S. PostalService will operate on the data within block 203 to produce a secondpassword (step 350). This second password, displayed within block 204,is used within step 360 to generate a second set of data (the numeralsdisplayed within block 205). A second algorithm within step 370,utilizes the second set of data to produce a third password (step 380).Once the above is written on the TMU, the Post Office employee will beable to enter the desired postage within block 207 (step 390).Thereafter at step 305, write button 209 is "depressed" to thereby storethe additional postage within TMU button 18.

Referring next to FIG. 4, there is illustrated the algorithm used withinthe present invention, and described with respect to FIG. 3. Note thatthe TMU serial number may be incorporated into the algorithm(s) to makeeach TMU button unique. For a given 8-byte password, "p1" represents thefirst byte of that password. For a given 45-byte data area, "d1"represents the first byte of that data. The "mod operator" stands forthe modulus, or remainder, of a division.

Referring next to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a flow diagram of theprocess employed within processor-based system 10 configured forallowing a user to print a postage meter stamp.

As previously discussed, the E-STAMP Program may be a stand aloneprogram, or it may be associated and coupled with a word processorprogram. Therefore, the E-STAMP Program may be started directly (step501) or through a word processor program also residing on theprocessor-based system 10 (step 502). Thereafter, at step 503, theE-STAMP Program shows display 60, illustrated and described with respectto FIG. 6, to the user.

Next, in step 504, as shown in FIG. 5, the E-STAMP Program verifies theTMU serial number associated with TMU button 18 coupled toprocessor-based system 10. If TMU button 18 has not been inserted withinits receiver, at step 505, a message is flashed to the user to insertTMU button 18. If the wrong TMU button has been inserted and coupled tosystem 10, at step 506, a warning is flashed to the user to insert anauthorized, or valid, TMU button. Within box 504 there are several stepsas follows:

Step 1--Serial number is verified.

Step 2--"E-STAMP" will match its Password 1 (BCLINTON) with the TMU'sPassword 1. If ok,

Step 3--Will read information in Data 1 and process it through algorithm1.

Step 4--If the results of step 3 matches Password 2, it will proceed toData 2.

Step 5--Will read information in Data 2 and process it through algorithm2.

Step 6--If the results of step 5 matches Password 3, it will then beable to access Data 3 which contains postage amount and proceed to step507.

Furthermore, a TMU button not specifically programmed for use with theE-STAMP Program will also produce a warning such as is shown in step506.

If a valid TMU button is coupled to system 10, at step 507, theinformation within TMU button 18 is read and displayed on display screen60. TMU button 18's serial number is displayed in conjunction withE-STAMP serial number 601. The remaining postage balance residing withinTMU button 18, is displayed within block 606.

Next, at step 508, return address box 603 is completed automatically ormanually. The address within 603 may be automatically entered from theadjoining word processor program, the address may be selected from adrop-down box (not shown), or the address may be manually inputted. Anyentered address may be saved within the E-STAMP Program. Additionally,if a return address is not desired, it may be omitted.

Thereafter, in step 509, the contents of address box 605 are entered ina manner similar to the contents of return address 603.

Next, at step 510, the user may select the print format by the use ofbox 604. As illustrated, the meter label may be printed on a labelthrough printer/label maker 19, or a choice may be made to print thepostage meter stamp on an envelope inserted within printer 19, which maybe chosen to be a standard size or a nonstandard size as selected by theuser. Note that if the postage meter stamp is to be printed on a label,it may be desired that the return address within 603 and the addresswithin box 605 not be printed.

Thereafter, in step 511, the user enters the weight of the package orletter associated with the postage meter stamp shown in box 610. Thisweight may be entered manually, or automatically through the use ofscale 103 coupled to processor-based system 10 in a manner well known inthe art.

Thereafter, in step 512, the user selects the class of mail from thechoices shown in box 609. At step 513, the user may select whether ornot a bar code is to be printed along with the meter stamp which arestandard POSTNET ZIP+4 Coding as provided in Postal Service Publication67.

Next, at step 514, the user may select a postal zone or alternativelyselect that the particular piece of mail is to be sent to Canada, Mexicoor some other international designation shown in box 608.

The E-STAMP Program will automatically incorporate the aforementionedentered parameters--weight, class, zone--in order to correctly calculatethe correct postage to print in conjunction with the meter stamp and todeduct from the postage amount stored within TMU button 18.

Lastly, in step 515, (and as shown in box 607) the E-STAMP Programutilizes the input/output ports of processor-based system 10 to send toprinter/label maker 19 the correct data pertaining to the meter stamp tobe printed on an envelope or label. Concurrently, the amount of postageprinted is automatically deducted from the amount stored within TMUbutton 18. Other information is also automatically updated including theusage record for this particular serial number of TMU button 18 and anyother information, such as the addressee, the postage amount the dateand the original denomination. The E-STAMP program controls systemoperation by coded data stored in a memory within the PC which isseparate from the TMU button.

Note that during the selection of the various parameters within display60, the E-STAMP Program may be implemented to update the postage amountdisplayed within meter display 601 as each parameter is chosen onessentially a real-time basis.

The aforementioned steps may be repeated for a subsequent piece of mail,or the user may decouple TMU button 18 from system 10.

Box 602 is provided for the user to insert the location from which themail is to be sent. This location is added within display 601 as isprinted on the stamp. This location also may be utilized by the Programto calculate the correct postage.

Message box 611 is provided to allow the user to add a message orgreeting (e.g., "Happy Holidays") to be printed next to the meter stamp.This message may be changed at any time by the user, directly or by a"merge" command in conjunction with a word processing or graphicsprogram coupled to the E-STAMP Program. Using the E-STAMP system andmethod users like lawyers, accountants, advertising agencies, etc., whobill their clients for postage will be able to keep track of postageexpenses on a per client basis. Also, Post Offices may elect to a) selldisposable TMUs, or b) pre-load TMUs at only some selected centers andonly sell or exchange TMUs at Post Offices. Also note that while theportable memory has been shown to be a "button" memory, any memorydevice having some residual data capability will work, providing thesecurity problems are overcome. Since algorithms can be used to controlsecurity a standard "diskette" can be used if desired.

The aforementioned E-STAMP Program has been shown and described withrespect to a "windows" operating environment on a PC. Of course, othermeans could be employed for implementing the present invention within aprocessor-based system.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A general purpose processor-based system for printing a postage meter stamp with a desired amount of postage onto a piece of mail, said system comprising:means for reading a total amount of postage from a TMU button removably coupled to said system; means controlled by a particular general purpose processor for handshaking with said TMU button to read data from said TMU button including a unique serial number assigned to said button and verifying that said button is authorized for use in printing postage meter stamps; means for automatically calculating a correct amount of postage for said piece of mail as a function of mailing parameters entered into said system and particular to said piece of mail; means for automatically deducting said correct amount from said total amount thereby creating a new total amount; and means for formatting data to be sent to a printer coupled to said system, wherein said formatted data is operable to print said meter stamp with said correct amount of postage.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:means for verifying that said button is authorized to communicate with said particular general purpose processor system.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:means for printing address information onto said piece of mail.
 4. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:means for printing a message along with said meter stamp.
 5. In a PC based system, installing on a selectively controllable basis a first application program, said program controlling a method for printing a postage meter stamp on a piece of mail, said stamp including postage for mailing said piece of mail, said first application program method comprising the steps of:reading and displaying under control of said installed first application program a serial number and a postage balance specific to a TMU button removably coupled to said PC; receiving in said PC by a general purpose second application installed within said PC one or more parameters pertaining to mailing of said piece of mail; automatically calculating under joint control of said first and second application programs said postage as a function of said parameters; automatically deducting under joint control of said first application and memory contained within said TMU button said postage from said postage balance resulting in a new balance stored within said button; and printing said postage meter stamp including said postage on said piece of mail, said printing occurring on a general purpose printer connected to an output port of said PC.
 6. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the steps of:receiving address information from a source external to both said first and second application programs to be printed on said piece of mail; and automatically printing said address information on said piece of mail.
 7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said address information is received from a word processor application program coupled to said system.
 8. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of:verifying that said button is authorized to grant postage to said system.
 9. A general purpose processor-based system operable for outputting data pertaining to a postage meter stamp to be printed on a piece of mail, said system comprising:means for verifying that a universal storage means, programmed to contain a predetermined amount of postage that may be printed is coupled to said system, is an authorized storage means, said means for verifying using data retrieved from said storage means; means for retrieving a portion of an amount of postage contained within said verified storage means; and means for outputting data pertaining to said retrieved portion along with data operable for printing said postage meter stamp including an indication of said retrieved postage portion; and means operable prior to said outputting of data for displaying a graphical representation of said postage meter stamp including said retrieved portion of postage.
 10. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein said retrieving means is operable to retrieve a portion of postage stored on selected ones of said storage means.
 11. The system as recited in claim 9, further comprising:means for automatically deducting said retrieved portion of postage from said stored amount.
 12. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein said outputting means is adaptable for coupling to a general purpose printer in order to print said postage meter stamp on said piece of mail.
 13. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein said retrieving means is operable only upon receipt by said system of a preselected password.
 14. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein said storage means is a relatively small disk having a memory therein and certain preestablished memory patterns permanently affixed therein, said memory patterns operating in conjunction with said retrieving means to control said outputting means.
 15. The system as recited in claim 9, further comprising:means for outputting address related data in conjunction with said aforementioned data.
 16. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein said address related data is received from a word processing program residing within said system.
 17. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein said system is a computer and wherein said retrieving means and said outputting means are controlled, in part, by coded data provided on a storage medium separate from said storage means.
 18. The system as recited in claim 17 further comprising means for removing said storage means from said system while the data from said storage medium remains associated with said system.
 19. Under control of a general purpose processing system, the method of outputting data pertaining to a postage meter stamp to be printed on a piece of mail, said method comprising the steps of:loading into said general purpose processing system an application program containing instructions for directing said general purpose processing system to interact with a user to control said outputting of data; inserting a storage device into a temporary holder connected to said general purpose processing system, said storage device containing therein data bits representing postage amounts and containing data representing a unique unalterable identity of said storage device; verifying under control of a handshake between said storage device and said application program that said storage device is an authorized storage device and that said loaded application program is also authorized using said unique data stored within and retrieved from said storage device; retrieving a portion of an amount of said postage from said inserted storage device; and outputting for use of a general purpose printer data pertaining to said retrieved portion along with data operable for printing on said general purpose printer said postage meter stamp including an indication of said retrieved portion.
 20. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said retrieving step is responsive to user input.
 21. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising the step of:automatically deducting said retrieved portion of postage from said amount.
 22. The method as recited in claim 19 further comprising the steps of:removing said storage device from said temporary holder; and external to said system, adding data to said removed storage device pertaining to said postage.
 23. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising the steps of:entering a weight of said piece of mail; and automatically calculating a correct postage to be applied to said piece of mail as a function of said weight, wherein said retrieved portion is equal to said correct postage.
 24. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising the steps of:entering a class of said piece of mail; and automatically calculating a correct postage to be applied to said piece of mail as a function of said class, wherein said retrieved portion is equal to said correct postage.
 25. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising the step of:displaying a graphical representation of said postage meter stamp including said retrieved portion of postage.
 26. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said retrieving step is operable only upon receipt by said system of a preselected password.
 27. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising the step of:outputting address related data in conjunction with said aforementioned data.
 28. The method as recited in claim 27 wherein said address related data is received from a word processing program residing within said system.
 29. A processor-based system adaptable for inputting to a universal data storage means data pertaining to an amount of postage, said system comprising:means for removably coupling said data storage means to said system; means including unique data unalterably stored in said data storage means for verifying from data retrieved from said storage means that said data storage means is authorized to receive data pertaining to an amount of postage; means for verifying, from data retrieved from said storage means, that said data storage means is authorized to receive data pertaining to an amount of postage; means operable for receiving user input pertaining to a desired amount of postage to be stored within said data storage means; means, responsive to said received user input, for transferring said desired amount of postage to said data storage means; means for storing an identification pertaining to said system within said data storage means along with said transfer of said amount of postage; and means for displaying to a user an identification of said verified data storage means.
 30. The system as recited in claim 29 wherein said data storage means is a TMU button coupled to said system.
 31. The system as recited in claim 29, further comprising:means, including data contained within said data storage means, for verifying that said data storage means is authorized to receive said data pertaining to said amount of postage.
 32. The system as recited in claim 29 wherein said receiving means is only operable upon receiving a valid password from said user. 